![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
After 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on September 27. Lillard was the Blazers’ point guard, and was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft. The trade was a three team trade involving the Blazers, the Bucks and the Phoenix Suns. It occurred after Lillard formally requested a trade in July 2023. After the trade was announced, Lillard took the opportunity to release his song titled “Farewell” under his rapper name Dame D.O.L.L.A. He took to X, formally Twitter, to add a statement prior to releasing his song.
“The casuals won’t be addressed, but the Trailblazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be … and they will be addressed truthfully. Stay tuned,” Lillard said.
In his rap, Lillard sang about the fans’ love.
“To the fans, man, I love you, it’s unconditional,” Lillard said.
Last year, Lillard was ranked in the top ten jersey sales bought by fans according to the NBA.
Mary Donaldson, junior, watched Lillard play last season.
“Seeing Damian play, it’s a good feeling,” Donaldson said. “You know that athletes have put so much into their team. It’s like a family, and it’s good to see it play out on record.”
The casuals won’t be addressed but the trailblazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be … and they will be addressed truthfully. Stay tuned
Excited for my next chapter! @Bucks 🎟️
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 27, 2023
Donaldson recalls the moment she found out about the Lillard trade.
“I was sitting in ceramics, and Ridge Hout flipped out and then right after my dad texted the family group chat,” Donaldson said. “He was all riled up.”
Piper Zaroff, sophomore, has gone to multiple trailblazers games herself.
“I think it’s going to be bad without him,” Zaroff said. “I don’t think [the Blazers] are going to be very good.”
Zaroff is a Blazers fan who enjoyed the culture of the fanbase.
“I do not think there’ll be as many people [at the trailblazer games] as he was a big attraction,” Zaroff said.
In Lillard’s “Farewell” album, he also referred to it all being about negotiations.
“I know at the end that this is business,” Lillard said.
A few phrases later, he ended the song by singing about what the Portland fan base should understand.
But you should know they’re the ones who chose another mission,” Lillard said. “They’re fishin’.”
